The Duchess of the Attic

"Hey. Hey. Looking good, Duchess."

"I'd love to see you look good."

"Oh, you're not in the mood."

"Can we be stuck in a place like this and stay in a good mood?

"Sure a place like this would be narrow on the Duchess, but be patient for a while now"

Opal replied to Cole's greeting with a peek in his face in the attic in such a way as to make him uncomfortable.

Cole, who got that response, is in a good mood, and Julian, who stands behind him, smiles.

More than ten days had already passed since Opal was trapped, and I just thought it was time for some movement.

"That's good news. No, it's sad news for the Duchess."

Cole is so happy that he's going to rock his big body and dance even now.

Opal stared at the figure without even a dust and waited.

But Cole doesn't look like he cared either.

"There have been rumours all over the country that my impudent Duchess couldn't stand the despicable Duke of Botzelli and fled with a man in search of inspiration. It just doesn't seem so surprising to everyone."

"Rumors like that are still out there. Even Claude... the Duke doesn't believe me."

Opal answered with his jaw raised steadily.

I laugh slightly at the opal that strengthens me, not only Cole, but even Julian.

Naja looked worried about Opal.

"It's the Duke, but he's terribly missing."

"Liar!

Unlike his previous attitude, Opal stood up surprised and strongly denied Cole's words.

Its face is blue, its hands trembling.

Cole shook his neck sideways clouding his expression as if he were sympathetic.

"No, unfortunately it's true. I couldn't stand the Duchess' infidelity and let her go, or I headed to the Kingdom of Socieux to find her, but according to definitive sources, she was attacked by a bandit on her way back to the king's capital and lost her life..."

So he cut the words, and Cole glanced at Opal.

Opal covers his mouth with both hands and looks as if he is suppressing screaming.

"Of course, this information is down. For Alessandro, losing Roussel is quite a pain in the ass. If the nobles knew about this, Alessandro would turn it to the neutrals."

"What... what are you talking about? Neutralists and all that should matter now."

"Has the Lady been married to this country by Roussel for saying so? Anyway, Madame's assets are enormous. As for Alessandro, he'd better have more money to fight us."

Opal shook his head so many times that he didn't want to believe it, he lowered his back to the bed like he was exhausted.

Then Naja kneels at Opal's feet and holds that hand as if to comfort him.

"Thank you, Naja"

"Wow, wow, was this story harsh on the Duchess? It will also be a lot of hard work, such as spending time in places like this. Depending on the conditions, we can get you out of this room."

"... Conditions?

"It's no big deal. I just want you to write to me."

"Again? Now to whom?

"Of course it's not Lucell. I can't help but send it to heaven. It's your father, Count Holloway, and your ex-husband, the Duke of McCloud."

"Claude... the Duke of Botzelli is alive. And if you need funds, you can contact my trustee. You don't have to write to the two co-owners."

Opal managed to regain his mind and make it look like he was behaving in a temperament.

That would have shown strength in Cole.

In fact, if Claude hadn't shown up in the attic about ten days ago, he might have seriously messed up rather than worried too much acting.

That's why Claude showed up unscrupulous.

"We do need funds, too, but more than that, we need to make sure we don't get sidelined from the Kingdom of Socieux right now. The Duke of McCloud seems to have gained a greater say in the Société Royale these days. You know Count Holloway's influence again, don't you?

"... so what do you want me to write?

"You two - especially the Duke of McCloud - owe Alessandro. If the matter of man-test development was brought up four years ago, the Duke of McCloud would move within the Kingdom of Socieux in favor of Alessandro. So I want you to write it down so that you ignore Alessandro's request."

"Could the Duke of McCloud do me a favor? Even if you're a co-owner, you're already someone else now?

As ridiculous as it sounded, Opal glanced over his shoulder.

Then Julian, who has remained silent until now, opens his mouth.

"You just have to beg for your life. McCloud was rumored to still have you untrained. That's why you think your remarriage story with Countess Ruffon was crushed, too? I'm sure he'll be happy to give you some money."

"... could there be such a ridiculous story? I guess I'm running off with you, huh? So you think the Duke of McCloud will move? In the first place, I wonder if my father, Count Holloway, could move for my daughter, even though he wouldn't make any money?

Opal inquired, staring at Julian.

Without such a gaze, Julian strapped her shoulders to imitate Opal.

"Unfortunately, my escape with you ended in failure. Yeah, well, we should say we got caught by the anti-Kings around Pasma Harbor."

"So, if you can stop the ransom - no, I'll be fine if I can stop the Société Kingdom."

"You're as smart as ever. But don't worry, I still have to withdraw the money from you. Don't worry about your life."

"Life..."

Cole didn't seem to pinch his mouth to a conversation like Opal and Julian's argument.

But haha laugh out loud and block.

"No, that's right. Julian only has Lord Connally's eyes on him. He seems to be brave and smart. - Well, can you prepare the letter I mentioned earlier by this evening?

"What if I don't write?

"It's not just your life we're holding."

With an unpleasant laugh, Cole glanced at Naja.

Naja stares back.

"If my husband is still strong, does he even look like a samurai"

Squirting like a solitaire, Cole once again walks out of the laughing attic.

Following that, Julian put her hand on the door and stopped her leg once.

"Hurry up. Tomorrow there will be an anti-Kings soldier in the King's Capital. I have to deliver your petition to the McClouds before it pays off."

Naja screamed small at Julian's words.

But Opal stared at Julian and smiled.